Activities to Foster Your Child’s Multiple Intelligences

In 1983, Howard Gardner proposed his *Theory of Multiple Intelligences, a group of seven (later expanded to nine) areas in which people, adults and children alike, could be said to show an aptitude for. While this theory is widely used in the educational arena to help foster children’s learning styles, it is equally as important for parents to recognize and embrace their children’s unique skills and interests as well.

1. Natural – This intelligence is indicative of those who have an eye for the natural world around them (plants, animals. rocks, clouds, etc). Many children, especially very young ones, have a natural curiosity about the world. To help foster this curiosity, try activities such as tree bark rubbings, planting a garden, trips to the zoo or local farm, walks in the park or local trails and visits to natural history museums.

2. Logical-Mathematical – People in this category are skilled at working with numbers, using symbols and using reasoning in problem solving. Kids who show an early leaning toward this type of intelligence may enjoy using everyday objects to create patterns (milk caps, buttons, seashells), creating and solving tangram pictures, participating in a back-yard treasure hunt, and playing games that involve strategic thinking. Cooking with kids is good as well, since recipes are full of math-related concepts.

3. Musical – Anyone with the ability to recognize, create and even mimic music, is said to have musical intelligence. A lot of children have an early love of music, and some of them grow to have a strong aptitude for it. Parents can encourage a child’s musical creativity by encouraging them to craft their own instrument out of supplies around the home or even providing them with age appropriate tapes and CDS they enjoy listening to.

4. Existential – This type of intelligence involves a curiosity about questions relating to human existence. Although it sounds beyond the years of children, many youngsters unknowingly ask existentially-based questions, such as: Where did I come from? It’s important for parents to encourage kids to never stop asking questions, and to provide them help in seeking the answers, whether they’re found in a book or by having a discussion.

5. Interpersonal – Anyone who can aptly work with others, and communicates well verbally and non-verbally is considered to be of interpersonal intelligence. Kids with this type of intelligence may get enjoyment out of playing in groups, or even just with siblings. Family activities in general are a good starting point for fostering this intelligence. Specific activities to develop interpersonal intelligence may include: charades, painting a group mural, learning basic sign language, and opportunities for showing and telling.

6. Intrapersonal – People who are intrapersonal have a terrific grasp on their own feelings and are usually very self-motivated. For kids who are intrapersonal, try encouraging them to start a journal, or provide them with paper and art supplies as a way to draw what they are feeling. The creation of a time capsule is another activity to encourage a child’s exploration of themselves; they are likely to enjoy taking the time to ponder and collect momentos that reflect who they are as a person.

7. Bodily-Kinesthetic – Athletes are known for having this particular intelligence, which includes being able to physically manipulate the body as well as objects. Kids who show this type of coordination may enjoy obstacle courses set up in the backyard, juggling with bean bags or other soft objects, homemade games such as water bottle bowling, and learning or creating new dances.

8. Linguistic – Having linguistic intelligence means being able to effectively communicate and express oneself using words. Kids who show a degree of linguistic intelligence might enjoy trips to the library, reading and discussing a favorite story and writing and sharing their own stories. Families can even work together to create a story, an activity in which one person starts a story and each family member continues to add on to the tale.

9. Spatial – This type of intelligence pertains to those who have strong mental imagery an imagination. Activities which might appeal to kids who are spatial include crafting and piecing together their own puzzles, reading a story and then making a craft to portray their favorite character or scene, drawing, and using empty cardboard boxes to build structures.

When picking up on a child’s areas of intelligence, it’s important to keep in mind that they may change as that child grows and develops new interests. It is also important to note it is possible to have more than one intelligence, even if there is one area in particular in which a child excels or finds enjoyment. The best thing that parents can do, is encourage their children, regardless of their aptitudes. With so many different activities for kids ready to engage in, there is no doubt, multiple activities for every intelligence!

Resources:
* http://skyview.vansd.org/lschmidt/Projects/The%20Nine%20Types%20of%20Intelligence.htm

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